Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas (CTNeT) Signs
Research Agreements with Leading Research Programs Throughout Texas

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas (CTNeT), a
non-profit clinical trials network established to facilitate
multi-institutional, collaborative cancer research, announced today that
the organization has signed research agreements with 20 leading cancer
research institutions and community-based oncology groups throughout
Texas, including all four of the state’s National Cancer Institute
designated Cancer Centers and Texas Oncology.

Established with an infrastructure grant from the Cancer
Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), CTNeT will
facilitate and promote unprecedented collaboration among cancer
investigators in Texas to conduct biomarker-driven, phase II clinical
trials needed to realize the potential of newer, more targeted therapies
for cancer. This unique initiative will also improve access for Texans
with cancer to these innovative, new approaches to treating cancer.

Leading the CTNeT management team is Dr. Charles E. Geyer, Jr.,
president and chief medical officer and an accomplished medical
oncologist and clinical investigator. Dr. Geyer stated, “A critical
barrier to the rapid conduct of biomarker driven clinical research has
been the lack of large-scale programs offering state of the art,
comprehensive analyses of cancers from patients with recurrent cancers
to determine if their cancers contain the genetic abnormalities targeted
with new agents in clinical trials. CPRIT funding has made it possible
to establish such a program in Texas through collaborations with the
Cancer Genetics Lab at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Cancer
Research Biobank, another CPRIT-funded initiative.”

Biomarker driven clinical research requires screening of tumors
from a large number of patients and multi-center trials are essential
for successful conduct of these trials. However, numerous barriers exist
to the rapid development and conduct of multi-institution collaborative
studies. CTNeT has developed an efficient and scalable operational model
to overcome these barriers. Key elements of the model include Master
Clinical Trials and central IRB Reliance Agreements with each of the
member sites.

Dr. Waun Ki Hong, head of the Division of Cancer Medicine at the
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center commented, “CTNeT will provide a unique
mechanism for meaningful collaboration between academic cancer centers
and investigators in community practices for the conduct of
biomarker-driven clinical trials necessary to realize the potential of
newer, more targeted therapies for cancer.” Dr. Hong added, “MD Anderson
is pleased to be one of the founding institutions of this important
initiative.”

Dr. Steven Paulson, chairman and president of Texas Oncology, also
noted, “Community oncologists in Texas are strongly committed to
bringing leading edge therapies to their patients through participation
in innovative clinical trials. Participation in CTNeT will enhance our
research programs and improve access of Texans with cancer to this
exciting new area of cancer research."

“To see leading cancer research institutions and community-based
cancer practices joining forces to enhance cancer research capabilities
throughout the state is impressive,” added Dr. Rebecca Garcia, CPRIT’s
chief prevention officer. “CPRIT shares the hope and promise of
improving access to clinical trials for patients in Texas, and we look
forward to new trials expected to be activated by CTNeT in the coming
months.”

Dr. William Butler, chairman of the board of CTNeT and chancellor
emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine observed, “This milestone
provides clear evidence of the remarkable spirit of collaboration and
enthusiasm among cancer researchers across Texas for this unique and
important initiative. Member organizations of CTNeT have placed their
institutional interests secondary to this important program and are to
be commended.”

The Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas (CTNeT) is a
non-profit oncology research network striving to create a cultural
change in the way clinical cancer research is conducted. The
organization was established with an infrastructure development grant
from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and combines
the innovative science of Texas’ cancer centers with the expertise and
resources of academic and community oncologists throughout the state.
The network members share in the vision of improving access for patients
throughout Texas to clinical trials of promising new therapies that
focus on targeting the genetic and related abnormalities that drive
cancer. An initial trial of a novel agent in liver cancer is being
activated and over the next few months a portfolio of trials will be
activated in non-small cell lung cancer, along with trials in breast
cancer, head and neck cancer and leukemia. To learn more about the
organization, visit www.ctnet.org.